THE WALL OF FACES

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Esbensen, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

Private First Class Charles Joseph Esbensen, Served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Great dancer.
Excellent sense of humour.
Very respectful.
Uncle Buster, Aunt Anna spoke highly of you.
RIP
RIP

Dear PFC Charles Esbensen,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. We remember all you who gave their all. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On December 10, 1966 the 2nd and 3rd Platoons, Mike 3/3 Marines, were on the move. As they approached the Song Cam Lo River the 3rd Platoon formed a semi-circular perimeter through which the second platoon and the company command group passed. A capable swimmer strung a rope from bank to bank and the 2nd Platoon began to ford the swift-flowing, chest deep river. As the Marines were crossing, two F-4 Phantoms passed over heading downriver. A break was called with 2nd Platoon and most of the command group on the far side and 3rd Platoon and the remaining members of the command group on the near side. The two Phantoms returned from downstream and one dropped two bombs into the center of the perimeter formed by the 3rd Platoon. Thirteen men were killed outright and fourteen others were badly injured. Of the five corpsmen on the near side only one was uninjured. The blasts had severed the rope, preventing the corpsmen on the far side from recrossing the river. Although medevac helicopters were called in without delay, several of the wounded died while aboard the helicopters. The seventeen Marines and sailors who died in the incident were PFC John D. Gayman, HM3 John N. Grachtrup, HM3 Donald J. Rion, CPL Clifford R. Singleton, LCPL William H. Bator, PFC John H. Knudsen, PFC Jack W. Logan Jr., 1LT John S. Sayer, GSGT Joseph Clemons, SSGT Doyle A. McShan, SGT Owen F. Neumyer, LCPL Jerry K. Patrick, PFC Michael L. Crouson, PFC Charles J. Esbensen, PFC Martin Ruiz, PFC Robert D. Sage, and PFC Phillip T. Wiley. [Taken from virtualwall.org]